BY: FERLIZA C. CONTRATISTA
CEBU CITY, July 23 (PIA)--- Persons with Disabilities can continue to register at the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Cebu Provincial Commission on Election Supervisor Atty. Lionel Castillano during the recent Kapihan sa PIA-Cebu said PWDs who were not able to register during the special registration for PWDs set last July 20 can still register.
The special registration for PWD voters was in accordance with the Comelec resolution declaring July 20 as a National Registration Day nationwide for qualified voters with disabilities disorders.
So far in Cebu, only 139 registered last July 20 while 170 in the entire Central Visayas.
Before the special registration, Comelec went on an intensified campaign to draw participation for the satellite registration primarily by coordinating with the municipal and city social welfare offices, village officials, and announcements through local radio stations.
“But the registration will continue until October 21, 2015 and if they will go to any COMELEC office, they will be accommodated first,” Castillano said.
PDWs, senior citizens, and pregnant women are among the sectors prioritized in the ongoing registration and revalidation of the Comelec.
The scheduled registration is among the activities in line with the celebration of the National Disabilities Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week.
According to Estela Geraldizo of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7), the 36th NDPR week aims to give special attention in implementing the rights of the PWDs according to Republic Act 99442 or Magna Carta for PWDs.
Geraldizo said there are already 22,000 PWDs registered in the 132 Local Government Units (LGU’s) in Central Visayas.
PWDs enjoy same benefits with senior citizens; including the 5% discount in medicines, supplies, and groceries.
Geraldizo said LGUs are encouraged to comply in granting benefits of the PWDs. (rmn/fcc/PIA-Cebu)